Brent Hoberman: The Visionary Entrepreneur Shaping the Future of Tech and Venture Capital
When it comes to trailblazing entrepreneurs and investors who have profoundly shaped the digital landscape in the UK and beyond, Brent Hoberman stands tall. With a career spanning over two decades, Hoberman’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and a relentless drive to empower founders and revolutionise industries. This article dives deep into Brent Hoberman’s career, personal life, net worth, education, and his lasting impact on the tech ecosystem.
Who is Brent Hoberman?
Brent Hoberman is a British entrepreneur, investor, and business leader renowned for co-founding several highly successful ventures, including lastminute.com and made.com. He is currently the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Founders Factory, Founders Forum, and firstminute capital—three of the most influential entities driving startup growth and innovation globally.
Born on 25 November 1968, Hoberman is 56 years old and continues to play an active role in supporting entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey. His success is built not just on his ventures but on his ability to spot potential, back promising founders, and foster thriving communities.
Brent Hoberman’s Career Journey: From Startup Founder to Ecosystem Builder
Early Ventures and Lastminute.com
Brent Hoberman first rose to prominence in the late 1990s as the co-founder and CEO of lastminute.com. Launched in 1998, lastminute.com was a pioneering online travel and leisure booking platform that capitalised on the emerging dot-com boom. Under Hoberman’s leadership, the company grew rapidly, becoming profitable and surpassing gross bookings of over $2 billion.
The business was revolutionary at the time, tapping into consumer demand for spontaneous deals on flights, hotels, and experiences. The company went public in 2000, and in 2005, it was sold to Sabre Holdings for an impressive $1.1 billion. This exit firmly established Hoberman as a visionary entrepreneur capable of building billion-dollar businesses from the ground up.
Made.com and Revolutionising Online Furniture Retail
In 2010, Hoberman co-founded made.com, an online furniture retailer that disrupted the traditional furniture market. Made.com connected consumers directly with designers and manufacturers, cutting out costly intermediaries and reducing prices while maintaining design quality.
The company grew swiftly, going public in 2021 with a valuation of £1.1 billion. Despite facing market challenges, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, made.com’s business model demonstrated Hoberman’s knack for innovation and transforming established sectors through technology.
Founders Factory and Seed-Stage Investment
Since 2015, Brent Hoberman has focused on creating platforms that nurture and accelerate startup growth. Founders Factory, which he co-founded and chairs, operates as a venture studio and accelerator supporting early-stage startups worldwide. Founders Factory partners with some of the largest corporates globally, providing founders with resources, funding, and mentorship.
Expanding on this, Hoberman co-founded firstminute capital in 2017, a seed fund backed by over 130 unicorn founders and star CEOs, managing assets exceeding $500 million. This fund focuses on early-stage technology companies, making strategic investments to help shape the next generation of industry leaders.
Founders Forum and Ecosystem Building
Brent Hoberman’s impact extends beyond individual companies. In 2006, he co-founded Founders Forum—a global invite-only network of founders, investors, and corporate leaders. The forum is designed to foster collaboration, share insights, and tackle pressing challenges in technology and entrepreneurship.
This community-driven initiative reflects Hoberman’s broader vision of strengthening the startup ecosystem through connection and collective action, creating spaces where innovation thrives.
The Man Behind the Success: Brent Hoberman’s Personal Life
Brent Hoberman is married to Genevieve Hoberman, a respected interior designer. The couple has three children and resides in central London. Despite his busy career, Hoberman prioritises family life and maintains a balance between his personal and professional commitments.
His personal interests often reflect his passion for design, technology, and fostering creativity—not only in business but also in his home environment.
Brent Hoberman’s Net Worth and Rich List Status
Brent Hoberman’s entrepreneurial successes have translated into significant personal wealth. His net worth is estimated to be around £1.15 billion, largely attributed to the sale of lastminute.com, the IPO and operations of made.com, and his various investments in tech startups.
His inclusion in rich lists highlights not only his financial achievements but also his influence as a key figure in the UK’s technology and startup scene. Hoberman’s wealth is a testament to the potential of visionary entrepreneurship combined with strategic investment.
Education: Foundation of a Thought Leader
Brent Hoberman’s educational background is firmly rooted in the prestigious British academic tradition. He attended Eton College, where he was an Oppidan Scholar, a mark of academic distinction. He later studied at New College, University of Oxford, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Modern Languages and Literature.
His education, while not directly in technology or business, provided him with critical thinking skills, cultural insights, and a broad worldview that have informed his approach to innovation and leadership. Hoberman’s journey exemplifies how diverse educational foundations can underpin success in the entrepreneurial world.
Advisory Roles and Contributions to the Broader Ecosystem
Beyond his business ventures, Brent Hoberman is deeply involved in advisory roles. He serves on the advisory boards of Google Cloud, the UK Government Digital Service, the Tessa Jowell Foundation, and the World Economic Forum’s Digital Europe Group.
His expertise is sought after at the highest levels of government and industry. Hoberman has advised four UK prime ministers and has chaired initiatives such as the Royal Foundation Taskforce on the Prevention of Cyberbullying.
These contributions showcase his commitment to using technology and entrepreneurship to solve societal challenges and support public welfare.
The Future Vision: Empowering Founders and Driving Innovation
Brent Hoberman’s career trajectory is a blueprint for aspiring entrepreneurs and investors alike. His focus on enabling founders through platforms like Founders Factory and firstminute capital reveals a dedication to scaling innovation systematically.
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, Hoberman’s role as a mentor, investor, and community builder remains vital. His belief in grit, empathy, and collaboration drives his efforts to build a more inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Conclusion
Brent Hoberman is much more than a successful entrepreneur; he is a visionary shaping the future of tech innovation and venture capital. From pioneering online travel bookings with lastminute.com to disrupting furniture retail with made.com, and now fostering startup ecosystems worldwide, his impact is profound.
At 56 years old, with a rich educational background, a supportive family life, and a net worth reflecting his commercial success, Hoberman continues to influence the next generation of founders. His story is one of continuous evolution—turning ideas into industry-changing realities and empowering others to do the same.
For anyone interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, or the dynamics of the tech world, Brent Hoberman’s journey offers invaluable insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-paced digital economy.
